Sunday, February 9, 2003
5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1^st Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7

Job spoke, saying: Man’s life on earth is a thankless job, his days are those of a mercenary.
Like a slave he longs for the shade of evening, like a hireling waiting for his wages.

Thus I am allotted months of boredom and nights of grief and misery.
In bed I say, “When shall the day break?”

On rising, I think, “When shall evening come?”
and I toss restless till dawn.

My days pass swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, heading without hope to their end.
My life is like wind, you well know it, O God; never will I see happiness again.

2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

I cannot boast of announcing the Gospel: I am bound to do it. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preached voluntarily, I could expect my reward, but I have been trusted this office against my will. How can I, then, deserve a reward? In announcing the Gospel, I will do it freely without making use of the rights given to me by the Gospel.

So, feeling free with everybody, I have become everybody’s slave in order to gain a greater number.

With people of unformed conscience I acted as if I were sharing their scruples in order to gain those who are still weak. So I made myself all things to all people in order to save, by all possible means, some of them. This I do for the Gospel, so that I too have a share of it.

Gospel: Mk 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew with James and John. As Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening at sundown, people brought to Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases, and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they knew who he was.

Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went out, too, searching for him; and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Let’s go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.”

So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; he also cast out demons.

Gospel Commentary

The healing of Simon’s mother-in-law shows how Jesus manifests his care and concern for those who are close to him, for those who follow him. While his ministry is meant to be universal, nonetheless the “personal touch” of healing affirmation is well maintained. To be with Jesus is to experience grace and blessings not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones. Jesus’ friendship is not exclusive but inclusive. To be a companion of Jesus is to expand our horizon of relationship. The gospel narrative ends up with Jesus praying very early in the morning and the call to preach the Gospel to other areas. Prayer makes us realize that one part of our life is grounded on ministry, in our contact with people, preaching and healing, whereas another part of ourselves is rooted on solitude and silence. This is the source of Jesus’ power and energy. Jesus’ communion and intimacy with His Father is the foundation of His ministry.

Read also these beautiful: Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R. • Biblical Commentaries from Diario Biblio

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